How to Become a Local History Affiliate
The Wisconsin Historical Society assists all new historical and cultural societies and organizations that become affiliates with the organizational steps of preparing bylaws, incorporating and applying for tax-exempt status. This assistance is provided by the Society's Local History Outreach offices in Madison, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee to all new historical societies that receive approval for affiliation by vote of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
The Society encourages all non-profit community history and cultural organizations, including publicly funded museums and tribal museums, to consider formal affiliation. Affiliated organizations can:
- Apply for mini-grants to support collections care and access projects
- Elect to have endowment funds managed by the Wisconsin Historical Foundation
- Vote at Wisconsin Historical Society membership meetings and elect regional representatives
- Receive Columns, the Wisconsin History Society's newsletter, and the Wisconsin Magazine of History
- Be listed in the Society's directory of local historical organizations and other marketing tools
- Reserve a Town Square table at the annual Local History-Historic Preservation Conference
- Use the Wisconsin Historical Society logo and receive an affiliate window cling
- Participate in the Wisconsin Council for Local History
- Receive discounts from Gaylord Archival
To be eligible for affiliation, an organization must satisfy the following criteria:
- The organization must be a non-profit community history or cultural organization, publicly funded museum, or tribal museum.
- The organization must be legally located in Wisconsin.
- Membership in the organization and programs must be open to any interested person for payment of reasonable dues.
- The organization's board of directors or organizational leaders must vote to apply for affiliation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society's Board of Curators must approve the affiliation.
Become a Local History Affiliate
Learn more about becoming an affiliated historical society of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Webinar: The Wisconsin Historical Society's Affiliation Program
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 648 KB)
Apply Today
Application for Affiliation (PDF, 152 KB)
Learn More
Local Historical Affiliate Directory
Resources for Local Historical Organizations
Have Questions?
Janet Seymour
c/o University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
105 Garfield Avenue, Hibbard 728
Eau Claire, WI 54701-4004
Phone: 715-836-2250